Slicing machine



June 10, 1941-. A A. KoT'rMANN l 2,245,108

` SLICING MACHINE Filed July 22, 1958 3 Sheets-sheet 1 l |NVEN-TOR 97 g'E Arthur Kottmann m4 ATTORNEYS June 10, 1941. A AA, KTTMANN 2,245,108

SLICING MACHINE Filed July 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR rthur.Kottmann BY Vaud M547 ATTORNEYS` June lo, 1941. v A, A, KQTTMANN 2,245,108

SLICING MACHINE Filed .July 22, 1938 3 sagem-sheet :s

INVENTOR` Arthur Kottmann BY ATTORN EYS Patented June l0, 1941 SLXCING MACHENE Application July 22, 1938, Serial No. 220,789

(Cl. 14S-153) to Micro-Weston,

7 Claims.

This invention relates to slicing machines, and in particular to improvements in the infeed and discharge thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a slicing machine having improved infeed and discharge properties.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slicing machine tthrough which the articles move in a predetermined time relationship.

In the slicing of loaves of bread it may be seen that the relatively hard crust portion offers greater resistance to the cutters than the relatively soft crumb portion of the loaf and that pressure on a loaf While the crust is `being sliced tends to compress the loaf, causing a disgured loaf. It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a slicing machine which may be adjusted so that the feed may be arrested prior to engagement oi the crust with the cutters.

It is another object to provide a slicing machine of the character described above which may be adjustable for loaves of different widths.

A further object is to provide a slicing machine which is simple in design and construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description accompanying by the drawings, in which:

Fig e l is a side elevational view of a slicing mach ie embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View, partly in cross section, taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig, l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional View, taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View of the infeed conveyor and a portion of the Vmechanism embodying the present invention, taken substantially on. line 6 2! of Fig. 2;

Fig. .5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 5 5- of Fig. l;

Fig. is a cross-sectional view of the mechasimilar to Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken substantially on line i-l of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a 'perspective View of the adjustable carriage member;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the discharge portion ci the slicing machine shown in Fig. 1; and

Figs.

l0, il. and l2 are diagrammatic views showing the infeed and discharge of loaves of bread through the slicing machine.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in

which like parts throughout the several Views are indicated by the same reference numerals, a suitable slicing machine embodying the present invention is illustrated. A feed mechanism is carried by suitable side frames I of the slicing machine, and includes a loading conveyor (only a fragmentary portion of which is shown and is indicated by the numeral 9) and a timing mechanism for feeding the loaves from the loading conveyor to an infeed conveyor. The slicing mechanism consists of a pair of alternately reciprocable blade frames 2 and 3, which are mounted on spaced guide members supported in an extension l of the side frames I. Each blade frame is provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced .cutter blades 5 which lie between the cutter blades of the other blade frame in order that all the blades will substantially simultaneously engage the loaf to be sliced at the beginning of the slicing operation. The blade frames are alternately reciprocated in opposite directions by well known means.

The baked loaves deposited upon the loading conveyor in convenient quantities yby the operator, are carried to the infeed timing device, to be described later, and individually transferred to the ight feed conveyor l. The conveyor 6 carries each loaf individually to the slicing mechanism in such a manner that there is a minimum crushing of the loaf and an eiiicient and economical slicing operation results, as will be seen. Furthermore, the sliced loaves emerge from the slicing mechanism at predetermined and regulated intervals so that they may be properly positioned between flights of an outfeed conveyor l of the slicing machine which night outfeed conveyor may be also the infeed conveyor of a wrapping machine or may feed the infeed conveyor of a wrapping machine. There may be thus provided an orderly procession of baked loaves through a slicing mechanism and into a Wrapping mechanism.

The infeed timing mechanism is of the type shown and described in a co-pending application Serial No. 98,212 led August 27, 1936 which became Patent No. 2,131,256 on September 27, 3.938. This mechanism is positioned adjacent the discharge end of the loading conveyor and includes an elevator having a flat loaf-receiving .platform 8 and an apron il) depending from the rearward edge of the platform to engage the side of loaves at the end of the loading conveyor 9. The elevator may be raised and lowered by any suitable mechanism (not shown) but is preferably driven from the infeed conveyor, so that it may move in timed relation to the flights of the infeed conveyor.

In its lowest position the elevator platform 8 is even with or somewhat below the level of the infeed loading conveyor and in its raised position the elevator platform is level with or slightly above the level of a receiving table I I. The table I I has a depending apron I2 adjacent the forward edge of the elevator against which articles may rest during the elevating operation. Flanged portions I3 at the extremities of the table II are provided so that the table may be secured to the side frame I. Slots I4 are provided in the table to permit the passage therethrough of portions of the flights of the infeed conveyor as will be hereinafter described.

The flight infeed conveyor 6 is positioned forwardly of and just below the discharge edge of the table II. It comprises a flat table portion I5 suitably supported between the side frames and separated therefrom by marginal spaces I6 to accommodate the flight mechanism. It may be seen (Fig. 4.-) that the table I5 supports the loaves as they leave the table II and are conducted to the slicing mechanism by means of the flights I l. The flights I 'I are carried on the endless side chains or belts i3 which run on forward sprockets 20, fixed on shaft 2|, journalled in the side frames; rearward sprockets 22, fixed on shaft 23, journaled in the side frames; and intermediate or idler sprockets 24 carried on stub shafts 25, journalled in adjustable brackets (not shown) secured to the side frames. The intermediate or idler sprockets serve to take up slack in the side chains I8. The forward and rearward sprockets are positioned so that the side chains I8 run adjacent. the table portion I5 in the spaces I6 referred to above -between such table and the side frames.

To hold the loaves in a suitable position while passing over the infeed flight conveyor, guide rails 26 are provided which are carried in a suspended position over the infeed flight conveyor by means of the adjustable brackets 2l, carried on oppositely threaded ends of shaft 28, and a smooth guide shaft 35, both of which are supported in extensions 3| of the side frames (Fig. 1). The space between the guide rails 26 is adjusted by means of a hand crank 32 arranged to turn the shaft 28 which draws together or separates the adjustable brackets 2l by means of its oppositely threaded ends.

In order to facilitate the transfer of articles from the table II .to the conveyor table I5 transfer wheels 33 may be provided. These wheels are mounted on and are driven by shaft 23, which also carries the rearward sprockets 22, and are arranged to project through suitable slots 34 in the conveyor table I5 so that they are substantially in the same plane as the table I I. Notches 35 in the periphery of the wheels 33 are positioned to receive a portion of the flights Il as the latter are carried around the rear end of the conveyor over the sprockets 22.

The wheels 33 are positioned a'suitable distance apart along the shaft 23 so that the articles being transferred from the table II to the conveyor table I5 will not slip between the wheels or tilt sideways. Similarly, extensions on the flights I'I which contact the loaves first are positioned a suitable distance apart in order that they may eiciently engage the rear edge of the articles to be advanced as will be seen later.

The construction of the mechanism effecting the feed of the articles to the cutters will now be described. The night feed conveyor as previously mentioned is positioned between the infeed timer and the blades and individually conducts loaves at regulated intervals from the timer to the slicing mechanism, the articles A to be sliced being advanced over the table portion I5 of the conveyor by means of flights Il equally spaced on the endless belts or chains i3 arranged to travel over the driven sprockets 20, 22 and the intermediate sprockets 2d.

Each of the flights Il includes a transverse article engaging strap portion 36 which has a pair of spaced upstan-ding extensions 3l and a pair of forwardly extending broadened feet 38 pivotally connected to the endless belts or chains I8 as shown in Fig. 4.

A movable carriage is arranged to extend transversely of the table portion I5 of the infeed conveyor in the sloping 'part thereof. This carriage includes a flat plate member #it which serves as an extension of the table I5 of the infeed conveyor disposed across the path of the articles being advanced to the slicing mechanism. A similar plate Ill also extends across the path of the article and is spaced a slight distance from the plate 4I] to provi-de a transverse slot 42 which likewise extends across the width of the infeed conveyor.

Fig. 8 shows the carriage and it may be seen that it comprises the members lill and l with the slot 42 between them, a pair of side plates d!! and flight guide members 45. rlhese parts are assembled and rmly secured into a unit. On the under side of the carriage at the rear, racks d5 are provided by which the carriage may be moved. The racks d are secured to and carried by rearward extensions or legs 49 of a plate 'I which is disposed in a plane parallel but beneath the plate Ml and separated therefrom by spacer blocks 48. The sides of the plate Il and legs 49 terminate in downwardly turned flanges 50 which are secured to the side plates 4d (as indicated in Fig. 5). Thus it may be seen that th-e plate lll of the carriage is carried by the spacer blocks 48 and plate @l so that the chains I8 and flight feed 38 may pass between the marnal portions of the plate @Il and-the side plates A transverse shaft 5I extends between the side frames of the machine and is provi-ded with pinions or segments of pinions 52 which are engageable with the racks 53. The shaft 5I may be rotated by means of a handle 53 and may be retained in any suitable adjusted position by a plunger 54 arranged to seat in a plurality of positioned holes 55 formed in the side frame. Rotation of the shaft 5I causes the pinionsl 52 to advance or retract the carriage through engagement with the racks 135 and in this way the transverse slot d2 is advanced or retracted with respect 4to the slicing blades 5.

Fig. 4 shows the carriage substantially at its forwardmost position and Fig. 6 shows the carriage moved as far back as possible, which limits have been arbitrarily chosen in this embodiment. The side plates 45 of the carriage engage the side frames of the machine with a sliding fit and the movement of the carriage is limited by bolts 55 which extend through slots 5l in the side plates Il and are threaded into the side frames (Fig. 5).

When the carriage is moved the side plates It and flanges 50 of the plate d? slide on bars 58 which are bolted to the side frames by suitable bolts Gil. If the carriage is moved to the position shown in Fig. 6 the plate 4i! is disposed beneath the conveyor table I between that table and brackets 6I which brackets are supported by the rearward conveyor shaft 23 and carry the table I5. The brackets 5I are notched as indicated at 62 so that they may receive the plate 46. The bracket 6I also carries a plate 53 disposed at the under side thereof and extending outwardly toward the side frame. The plate 63 extends from the shaft 23 forwardly toward the cutters to a point which is a short distance beyond the rear edge of the leg portions 49 oi the plate 41 when the carriage, carrying the plate 41 is in its forwardmost position. When the transfer wheels 33 lift the flights above the level of the conveyor table I5, the flights are supported by their feet 38 resting on the plate 63 as may be clearly seen in Fig, '1. As the flights ap'- proach the carriage the feet 38 also find support on the legs i9 of the plate l1 and when the ights are in the region of the slot 42 their feet 38 are solely supported by the plate '11 (Fig. 5) which terminates at the slot 42 so that the flights being no longer supported drop below the level of the conveyor tab-le, pivoting about their connection to the chain I8.

As previously mentioned, the brackets BI support the conveyor table I5, being carried by the rear conveyor shaft 23. Additional support for the table I5 is provided by a cross strap 64, extending between the side frames, the end portions of which are inclined downwardly and then terminate in upwardly directed iianges secured to the side frames by the bolts 66 which also secure the bars 58 on which the carriage slides. The cross strap 64 is connected to the table I5 by a pair of straps 65, running longitudinally of the conveyor, the forward ends of the straps 65 resting on the forward conveyor shaft 2i and the other ends of the straps 65 being provided with upturned ilanges bolted to an angle member 66 which is secured to the under side of the conveyor table I5. The angle member 66 extends transversely between the brackets 6I, being of a length shorter than the distance between brackets as may be seen in Fig. 2.

Disposed beneath the forward plate 4I of the carriage is a stationary article supporting plate 61 secured to brackets 63, the lower portions of which may be bolted to the side frames as shown in Fig, 4, II'he plate 61 serves to support articles which have passed over the carriage when the carriage is moved back so that the plate 61 is exposed. Immediately adjacent the plate 61 is an additional supporting plate which in this embodiment is a continuation of the slotted blade spacing plate.

As the flights I1 of the infeed conveyor travel along the inclined portion of the infeed conveyor the articles are thereby advanced along the table I5 toward the slicing mechanism. As soon as a flight reaches the transverse slot 42 it is no longer supported above the level of the table I5 and accordingly the guide members 45 engage the ends of the strap 36 of the flight I1, causing the flight to pivot downwardly and drop beneath the plane of the table I5. Thus, it may be seen that articles are advanced along the infeed conveyor by the flight I1 as far as the slot 42 in the carriage where the flight is rendered ineffective to further advance articles. Fiom this point the articles advance across plates 4i, 61 and 10 and are engaged by the cutters.

After the articles are sliced by passage through the cutters 5 they are discharged from a discharge plate or table 1I onto the outfeed conveyor 1. If desired the discharge plate 1I may be of the type adapted to be adjusted for length. An illustration of this type is shown in Fig. 9 and comprises an extensible plate 12 disposed below the discharge plate 1I and arranged to move in a substantially horizontal direction in overlying relation to a portion of the discharge conveyor. The plate 'I2 is provided on its under side with racks 13 engageable with pinions 14 keyed to a shaft 15 mounted in the side frames of the machine. 'Ihe shaft 15 is provided at one end with a suitable handle 16, rotation of which imparts movement to the movable plate 12, either increasing or decreasing the amount of its extension over the discharge conveyor in a substantially horizontal direction. The ends of the teeth of the racks 'I3 slide on the upper surface of blocks 11 which are bolted to the side frames on the exterior of the machine as indicated at 18. The blocks 11 are provided with arm 86 which extend up the sides of and over the tops of the racks 13. Thus it may be seen that the space between the bottom surface of the horizontal portion of the arms and the top horizontal surface of the blocks 11 provides a guideway for the racks 13 which carry the eXtensible discharge plate 12 holding the latter in a firm and substantially horizontal position. The length of the discharge plate is made adjustable so that sliced articles supported on the discharge .plate or table 1l may be transferred-properly from th-e slicing mechanism to the discharge conveyor at all times. For instance, if it is -desired to slice articles of greater width, the number of articles `which may be positioned 4between the blades and the end Iof the discharge plate is altered and a proper transfer of the articles to the discharge conveyor may not be obtained. However, adjustment of the plate 12 will provide proper transfer of articles to the discharge conveyor without interference to the timing relation between the infeed and discharge conveyor. Other advantages of this device will be described later.

As seen in Fig. 1 the discharge conveyor preferably comprises a pair of spaced chains 8I carried by sprockets 82 which are rotated -by shaft 83 mounted in the side frames. The chains 8| carry a plurality of spaced flights 84 whichadvanoe the sliced articles over a conveyor table 85.

The infeed conveyor 6 and the outfeed conveyor 1 may be separately driven in timed relation but in this illustration they are -actuated by a common drive for a purpose that will be described` herein. A suitable source of power may be used to rotate the drive shaft 86, which `carries and rotates sprocket 81, as shown in Fig. 10, an-d .by means of a chain or -belt 88 rotation may be imparted to a sprocket 96 mounted on the shaft 2I of the infeed conveyor, but not fixed thereto (see Fig. 3). Adjacent the sprocket 90 is a sprocket 6l mounted on the shaft ZI, but not affixed thereto, the sprocket SI, however, being fixed by any suitable ymeans to the sprocket 90, so that it will rotate with the sprocket 90 and drive the discharge conveyor by means of yan endless belt or chain 92 which is carried by a sprocket 93 keyed to the shaft 63 of the discharge conveyor. Also mounted on the shaft 2I of the infeed conveyor, but not fixed thereto, is a disk 94 which is secured to the sprocket Si) and may be rotated thereby.

In order that the infeed conveyor may `be connected at will to this drive, the shaft 2| to which are keyed the sprockets 26 of the infeed conveyor is adapted to be placed in driving connection with the disk S4 by means of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3. At one end of the shaft 2| a hub 95 of a hand wheel 97 is provided and xed thereto, as by the pin 95. The hub 95 also carries a plunger 98, said .plunger being adapted to be received in an aperture l in the disk 94. This mechanism is provided so that the infeed conveyor may bel disconnected from' the drive and the outfeed conveyor may be operated continucusly, and also so that the two conveyors may only be connected in va predetermined, timed relation, which is determined by the location of the aperture IEB!) on the surface of the disk 911.

For example, if it be desired to wrap unsliced articles when the slicing machine is connected to a wrapping machine, it may be readily done by disconnecting the plunger 98 from the aperture It@ of the disk 94. When this is done the infeed conveyor will not be connected while the discharge conveyor is connected and may be operated to advance articles to the wrapping machine, such articles being placed between the flights of the discharge conveyor. Then when it is desired to change back and wrap sliced articles, the flight infeed conveyor maybe reconnected by inserting the plunger @3 in the aperture icc of the disk sa, and, in so doing, the timing relation between the infeed and discharge conveyors will be automatically re-established.

A feature of the slicing machine embodying the present invention is its ability to combine the features of slicing machines having ight feeding mechanisms and the advantages of gravity feed slicing machines. In gravity feed slicing machines the articles to be sliced. being fed to the blades by gravity alone, are more evenly sliced, and there is less distortion of the relatively soft loaves, due to undue pressure advancing them. However, Yflight feed slicing machines are desirable, in that timing between the infeed and discharge conveyors is possible, and an orderly, spaced progression of loaves may be obtained.

The features of operation of a slicing machine embodying the present invention may be seen more clearly by the following description.

In slicing articles, such as baked loaves of bread, it is desirable that the crust be out more slowly than the crumb of the loaf, as it is relatively harder and more resistant, and, if this is not done, there is a tendency toward deformation of the loaves. One way of minimizing 'deformation is to provide what is called a cushioning effect in slicing loaves of bread, which may be produced by disposing two or more loaves between the blades and the flight advancing loaves to the blades. Another way of minimizing deformation, which may be used in conjunction with the cushioning effect, is to advance the loaf to be sliced up to the blades and then, by rendering the flight ineffective to advance articles, to allow the loaf to dwell momentarily with its crust resting against the blades so that the loaf. in effect, feeds by gravity during a portion of the slicing operation. Since the blades move continuously the tendency will be for them to cut the crust during the momentary dwell, and, when the succeeding loaf is advanced by one of the nights, it will push the loaf, which was momentarily resting, through the blades, and take its place resting against the blades, Then, if it is desired to slice loaves of different width, the point atwhich the flights are rendered ineffective to Vadvance articles may be retracted or advanced to a point which will allow loaves to momentarily dwell with their crust resting against the continuously moving blades.

If the slot i2 of the movable carriage described herein is moved with respect to the blades while the length of the discharge plate remains fixed, the number of loaves disposable between the slot and the end of the discharge plate is altered. This may affect the transfer of loaves to the discharge conveyor by allowing loaves to be transferred to the discharge conveyor at inopportune times. However, by movement of the discharge plate, proper loaf transfer may be maintained. rlhus, it may be seen that the combination of an adjustable means for rendering a flight ineffective to advance loaves and an adjustable length discharge plate on a slicing machine permits slicing of various width loaves under more desirable slicing conditions without changing the effective timing relation between the infeed and discharge conveyor.

The above features of the present machine may be seen more clearly if described in connection with the diagrammatic views of Figs. lO-lZ. As seen in Fig. 10, the load B has been advanced across the slot e2 and the flight which advanced it is beginning to drop through rthe slot while the loaf C' is allowed to dwell momentarily where its crust may rest against the moving blades. The loaf C will be advanced through the blades when it is advanced by pressure of the loaf B due to the advancement of the loaf A by the flight seen in contact therewith. Fig. 11 shows the slicing of a wider loaf and it may be seen that the slot 42 has been moved to a position so that the loaf D is advanced by the flight in contact therewith until it is almost resting against the blades at which time Athe flight is caused to drop through the slot 42 so that it is rendered ineffective to advance articles. Fig. 11 also shows that if the movablev carriage were used alone, proper transfer of the loaves to the discharge conveyor would not be provided for during the moment of dwell, the loaf E would not be supported and would topple onto the discharge conveyor at the wrong time. However, in Fig. 11 the extensible discharge plate 'I2 has been moved to the proper position so that a suitable amount of overhang by the loaf E is provided and the proper transfer of loaves to the discharge conveyor is afforded as well as the desired crust cutting feature described above.

When loaves of bread are being sliced which have relatively soft crusts, so that suitable slicing is obtained by the use of the cushioning effect alone, the adjustable means for rendering flights ineffective to advance articles may be used to advantage to facilitate the obtaining of a proper sliced-loaf transfer to the discharge conveyor. For example, it is desirable that at the moment of dwell, present in ight feeds, as much as approximately half a loaf protrudes beyond the edge of the discharge plate to insure that on the next movement of the loaves the protruding loaf will be moved off the discharge p-late onto the discharge conveyor. This feature is shown in Fig. 12 where it may be seen that with the discharge plate remaining stationary, the amount of protrusion of the loaf F thereover may be varied by movement of the slot G2, the point at which flights are rendered ineffective to advance loaves. If the protrusion of the loaf over the discharge plate exceeds half a loaf width, loaves'may pre' maturely drop off the discharge plate, thereby breaking the spaced progression of loaves, and more than one loaf may be deposited between adjacent nights of the discharge conveyor. Similarly, if the overhang of the loaves were not Sunicient, they might not be dropped on of the discharge plate during the next loaf movement.

It is to be understood that variations and modincations of the specinc devices herein shown and described for purposes of illustration and explanation may be made Without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. A slicing machine comprising a plurality of spaced cutters, a pair of endless members, an article support, nights mounted between said members and being movable along saidv article support -to advance articles to the cutters, means to automatically position articles between the nights of the infeed conveyor, a carriage having portions adapted to be disposed in overlapping relation with said article support, said carriage having a transverse slot through which the night members are directed, and means for shifting said carriage with respect to the cutters.

2. A slicing machine which comprises a plurality of spaced cutters, an infeed conveyor having an article support and provided with nights movable over the article support, a discharge conveyor to remove sliced articles, a carriage having portions co-extensive with the article support of said infeed conveyor, said carriage having a transverse slot through which the nights are directed to a position beneath the article support, means for moving said carriage toward or away from the cutters, Imeans for driving the i infeed and discharge conveyors in timed relation, and means for disengaging or engaging the infeed conveyors While the discharge conveyor remains in operation.

3. In a slicing machine having a plurality of spaced cutters, an infeed conveyor having an article support and provided with nights movable along said article support, a discharge table for supporting sliced articles, the combination of a night support co-extensive with a portion of the article support of said infeed conveyor, said flight support having a transverse slot through which the nights of the conveyor move in a direction away from their article engaging position, means for moving said flight support with respect to said cutters, and an additional article support portions of which are co-extensive With portions of said discharge table, and means for projecting and retracting said additional article support.

4. In a slicing machine having a plurality of spaced cutters, an infeed conveyor having an article support and provided with nights to advance articles along said article support, a discharge table for supporting sliced articles, a discharge conveyor to remove sliced articles displaced from said discharge plate, means for driving said infeed conveyor and discharge conveyor in timed relation, the combination of a carriage having portions co-extensive with portions of the article support of said infeed conveyor, said carriage having a transverse slot through which the flights of the conveyor move to a position beneath the article support, means for moving said carriage with respect to said article support, and an additional article support portions of which are co-extensive with portions of said discharge table,

and means for projecting and retracting said additional article support.

5. In a slicing machine having a plurality of spaced cutters, a feed mechanism which comprises an article support disposed in stationary relationship with respect to the location of the cutters, flight means for advancing arti-cles along said article support toward the cutters, flight supporting means disposed between the article support and the cutters and having portions adapted to be in overlapping relation with the article support, and means for shifting the night supporting means with respect to the article support and the cutters during operation of the feed mechanism to cause the termination of the movement of articles by the flight means to take place at desired distances from the cutters.

6. In a slicing machine having a plurality of spaced. cutters, a feed mechanism which comprises an article support disposed in stationary relationship with respect to the location of the cutters, a pair of endless members mounted for movement at identical speeds at the sides of the article support, flights carried between the endless members and traveling above the plane of the article support for a portion of their travel forward in the direction of the cutters to advance articles along the article support, guide elements for causing said nights at a position in their travel toward the cutters to terminate article advancing movement prior to terminating their forward movement and move to a position beneath the plane of the article support, said guide elements being movable longitudinally of said article support, and means for controlling the posi-tion of said guide elements relative to said article support to vary the position of termination of article advancing movement of the flights.

'7. In a slicing machine having a plurality of spaced cutters, a feed mechanism which comprises an article support disposed in stationary relationship with respect to the location of the cutters, said article support including spaced portions, said support being fixed relative to the cutters and having an article entrant end and a discharge end, a pair of endless members mounted for movement at identical speeds at the sides of said article support, nights carried between said endless members and traveling above the plane of said article support for a portion of their movement in the direction of the cutters to advance articles along the article support, night supporting means for maintaining said nights in article advancing position during said portion of movement and including movable means for causing said nights at the termination of said portion of movement .to move between said spaced portions of the article support to a position beneath the plane of the article support Where they are inoperative to advance articles, supplemental `article supporting means intermediate said spaced portions and independent thereof for bridging a portion of the space between said spaced portions, and means for shifting said movable means longitudinally of said arti-cle support toward and away from said entrant and discharge ends, respectively, and vice versa, to vary the length of said portion of movement of said nights.

ARTHUR A. KOTTMANN. 

